SBIR-STTR Award

Fuel Cell Power Sources for Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Award last edited on: 10/24/2006

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : AF
Total Award Amount
$1,649,007
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
AF05-192
Principal Investigator
Paul Osenar

Company Information

Protonex Technology Corporation

153 Northboro Road
Southborough, MA 01772
   (508) 490-9960
   info@protonex.com
   www.protonex.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 02
County: Worcester

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2005
Phase I Amount
$99,760
Protonex Technology Corporation will build a fuel cell based power system that enables the flight of long-duration small aircraft that are not feasible with batteries. Currently long-duration aircraft must be powered by small combustion engines which are loud and unreliable. We will use a new chemical hydride fueling technology gravimetrically attaining over 10% by weight deliverable hydrogen, which is equivalent to 3400 Whr/kg of fuel energy. When coupled with a 50% electrically efficient PEM fuel cell system, the combined electrical power source approaches 1700 Whr/kg. This is much higher than current state-of-the-art lithium batteries used in electrical UAVs which currently achieve 200 Whr/kg and are projected to top out around 300 Whr/kg in 5 years. The higher energy density of the fuel cell system in comparison with batteries will enable an aircraft to fly for significantly longer durations and carry more payload. An opportunity for fuel cells in small UAVs exists because fuel cell systems can attain higher specific energies than batteries, thus enabling electric UAV missions in the 10-100 hour range. They also are much quieter and have far better durability than ICEs

Keywords:
UAV, UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE, SMALL PLANE, AIRCRAFT POWER, RECONNAISANCE, BATTERY, ELECTRIC POWER, AIRCRAFT PROPULSION

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2006
Phase II Amount
$1,549,247
Currently, under a Phase I SBIR program funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory, Protonex is developing a fuel cell power system and fuel cartridge that will enable 8- to 12-hour endurance for backpackable UAVs. This follow-on Phase II program will focus primarily on developing 5-7% by weight (5-7 wt%) hydrogen fueling technology based on chemical hydride, as well as building lighter components from designs developed under the Phase I program. The proposed Phase II effort has four major technical objectives for development and innovation: development of a fueling cartridge gravimetrically high in useable hydrogen (over 5 wt% hydrogen); development of a fuel cell stack optimized for high specific power (1,000+ W/kg); systems development and integration, including water recovery and balance of plant components; and overall design, integration and testing of the final product. A 5% by weight useable hydrogen fueling subsystem and 1,000 W/kg fuel cell stack are the differentiating technologies that will enable production of a fuel cell system capable of powering an 8-hour UAV flight duration. Protonex has partnered with both fueling technology researchers and small UAV manufacturers for work on this Phase II program

Keywords:
UAV, SUAV, ENDURANCE, POWER SYSTEM, FUEL CELL, TACTICAL, PERFORMANCE, PAYLOAD